Plateau State commissioner of police, Mr Bartholomew Onyeka, has given reasons why the State House of Assembly will remain sealed until the lawmakers resolve their differences.
He warned the legislators and their supporters to stay off the Assembly till further notice.
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The impeached speaker of the House, Hon. Ayuba Abok, got a reinstatement judgement from the Plateau State High Court last week and resumed office immediately, while the sitting speaker, Hon. Yakubu Sanda, and others kicked against the judgement. This however led to a commotion, which forced the police to seal up the Assembly complex to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
The commissioner of police who made the disclosure while addressing newsmen in Jos the Plateau State capital said the command sealed up the Assembly complex as a result of threats and counter-threats that kept mounting on a daily basis over the unfortunate development.
According to him, the police command had invited both parties to the leadership position for a meeting to find a way out of the impasse, adding that only three of the twenty members of the House turned up for the meeting while the rest stayed away without any reason.
“They promised to be here, but only three turned up. The purpose of calling the meeting was to look into the matter for a way out. So, people should go about their businesses and do what is required by the law.”
He stressed that, “Nobody should be allowed to trespass into the House of Assembly. There are threats that keep mounting on a daily basis, so it will be out of place for us to withdraw our men from there. I believe our presence there is very necessary so as to protect those working there.
“Nigeria is a very complex country; in spite of our presence, people are still planning to attack the place, so what do you expect from us in this situation? Certainly, we would not allow recklessness. The lawmakers should stay off the Assembly for now until all the contending issues are resolved,” he stated.
Onyeka pointed out that the deployment of police personnel to the State House of Assembly wasn’t targeted against any group or person, as it was merely preventive to maintain peace, protect lives and properties, and prevent the breakdown of law and order.
The police commissioner narrated that the Police, who are also parties to the suit, filed notices and injunctions of appeal and stays of execution on the same day, April 3, 2023, which were equally served on the parties concerned, adding that from that period, a series of meetings have been held with a view toward ensuring that the Plateau State House of Assembly Complex is secured adequately.
He said, “I would now want to state it categorically clear that the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Bartholomew N. Onyeka, is not a politician and all other police officers are non-partisan; hence, I appeal to the good people of Plateau State, the traditional rulers, elders of the state, religious leaders, parents and guardians, women’s groups, the youths, and all residents of Plateau State to avoid being used by any person or group of persons to achieve their self-serving, selfish ambitions.
“On our part as the police, we are only concerned to ensure that Plateau State remains peaceful for all to live in, and the Commissioner of Police would not fold his arms and watch the honorable members of the Plateau State House of Assembly turn the premises of the Assembly into a battle field or a boxing ring. My powers as Commissioner of Police as enshrined in Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 4 of the Police Acts 2020 are relevant.”
He therefore urged all law-abiding residents of Plateau State to go about their lawful businesses and the warring parties to seek peaceful ways of settling their differences in accordance with the rule of law.